Enjoy watching your toddler feed themselves lentils!

Yes, it’s true, these little balls of deliciousness are perfect toddler food but they’re also a popular snack with older kids, too. The secret is that the sweet potato (or kumara), is ROASTED, so they’re rich and enticing which means the lentils aren’t noticed at all.

To get the mash, I chuck the whole sweet potato into the oven (don’t peel it or anything so tedious) and cook it for about an hour at 180C. Then, whenever you’re ready during the day, you can get onto making this super-healthy, egg-free snack.

Mash the cooked sweet potato in a large bowl. Evenly mix in the rice, cheese, lentils and chutney.

Roll bite-sized balls of mixture, coat in the breadcrumbs and place on the tray. Spray them with oil and bake for 20-25 minutes. Turn once during cooking (if you can be bothered) and give them an extra spray of oil part way through.

Makes about 30
*THESE FREEZE!
Usually you’ll have more than one cup of mash after roasting a whole sweet potato. Just up the quantities of the other ingredients to suit and make a heap – these freeze well. Just remember for reheating that you need to thaw them then bake them in the oven – they go soggy in the microwave.

Claire Bailey said,

Hmmm, i am currently roasting both sweep potato for a mystery purpose after having some leftover after making pasties. I think I may have just found a use for them, rather than just picking at them during the day when feeling like a snack. Will you be doing another run of VS2?

Reblogged this on Play with Food and commented:
I will be trying this recipe with my toddler!
Enabling your toddler at mealtimes by handing over control helps them establish healthy eating habits. Finger food options, like these, are perfect for letting them learn.
What are your favourite toddler finger foods?

Is the tomato chutney a binding agent or strictly for taste? It requires such a small amount that I’m wondering if I can successfully make these without it – since I don’t have it readily available. Your input would be much appreciated!